Eternal Life
The Lord wants His children to know that they will have eternal life. John assured the believers saying, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). Christ Himself stated that those that accept Him by faith will certainly have eternal life: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). There are none to whom God refuses the benefits of His saving grace. There is but one condition—belief in, and willing cooperation with, Christ.
In 1 John 5:11, the evangelist emphasizes the fact that God has “given to us eternal life.” This gift was made possible when He offered His only Son. It is the privilege of the faithful believer not just to know but also to rejoice that he has “everlasting life” now. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12). To have the Son means to have Christ dwelling in the heart as the supremely honored Guest (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 3:17; Revelation 3:20).
The Need to Abide in Christ
Having eternal life is conditional upon Christ’s abiding in the heart by faith (John 5:24, 25; 6:54; 8:51). A continuous abiding in a living connection with Christ is essential for growth and fruitfulness. Irregular focus on religious matters is not sufficient. To abide in Christ means that the mind must be in daily, constant relationship with Jesus Christ and must live His life (Galatians. 2:20). This could be done through daily study of the Scriptures, prayer and witnessing.
The Christian who disconnects himself from branch may carry on a form of religion, but the spiritual power is missing (2 Timothy 3:5). This person when faced with trials, his lack of spirituality is exposed. As the disconnected branches are finally gathered and burned, so the unfruitful Christian will suffer final death (Matthew 10:28; 13:38–40; 25:41, 46).
It is not possible for a person in his own power to free himself from sin and produce the fruits of holiness. For “The carnal mind … is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8:7). The false belief that says, “once in grace always in grace,” is denied by this condition. It is possible for those who have been in Christ to cut their connection with Him and be lost if they choose to (Hebrews 6:4–6). Thus, salvation is conditional upon abiding in Christ until the end.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
